Every patient financing option, side by side
Seven products your dentist, med spa, surgeon or vet might offer — compared on the five things that actually change what you pay: credit check, 0% structure, amount, term and fees.
Seven providers, nine facts each
Scroll sideways on smaller screens. Green and red mark the two facts that most often surprise patients after the fact.
| Cherry | CareCredit | Sunbit | Affirm | Scratchpay | PatientFi | Alphaeon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Installment | Credit card | Installment | BNPL installment | Installment | Installment | Credit card |
| Credit check | Soft | Hard | Soft | Soft (hard possible) | Soft | Soft | Hard |
| 0% structure | True 0% | Deferred | True 0% (some promos deferred) | True 0% | True 0% | Deferred (per disclosures) | Deferred |
| APR range | 0–35.99% | 32.99% std · 39.99% penalty | 0–35.99% | 0–36% | 0–36% | 5.99–34.99% | 32.99% std · 14.99–17.99% plans |
| Amount | $200–$65,000 | Card limit | $50–$20,000 | $50–$30,000 | $200–$10,000 | $200–$50,000 | Up to $25,000 |
| Terms | 6 wk–60 mo | 6–24 mo promos · 24–60 fixed | 3–72 mo | 6 wk–60 mo | 12–24 mo (36 some) | 6–84 mo | 6–36 mo promos · 24–60 fixed |
| Late fee | $15 | $29–$41 | None | None | Varies | Varies | Up to ~$41 |
| Prepayment penalty | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Best for | Any care, true 0%, high limits | Reusable card, many providers | Dental, no late fees | Retail checkouts | Small vet bills, $15 down | Long terms, far-out surgery | Cosmetic, reusable line |
Start from your situation
My credit is limited or bruised
All three are soft-check with broad approval; Cherry and Sunbit publish ~90%.
I need the lowest monthly payment
Longer terms mean more total interest — run both in the calculator.
It's an emergency vet bill
Scratchpay for the smallest cash tonight; Cherry for surgery-sized bills and longer terms.
I want 0% that can't turn into 33%
Avoid deferred-interest promos unless you're certain of paying to the dollar on time.
I want one line I can reuse
Cards reuse; plans end. Cherry approvals can be reused within 30 days at one practice.
Cherry versus each provider
Four terms that decide what you pay
A soft inquiry is invisible to other lenders and doesn't move your score. A hard inquiry stays on your report for two years and can lower your score by a few points. More →
True 0% means no interest, full stop. Deferred interest means interest is calculated from day one and only waived if you pay in full on time — miss by a dollar and all of it is charged.
A plan has a fixed amount, payment and end date. A card has a limit, minimum payments and no fixed end — convenient for reuse, easier to carry a balance on.
Most installment lenders collect a first payment at checkout: Cherry about one monthly payment (25% on Pay-in-4), Scratchpay $15, Sunbit and PatientFi varying amounts. Cards collect nothing up front.
Choosing between them
What's the difference between a medical credit card and an installment plan?
Which patient financing options use a soft credit check?
Which offer true 0% APR?
Who lends the most?
Which has the longest term?
What should I ask before accepting any plan?
Know your Cherry number, then compare
Checking your Cherry offer takes about a minute and never touches your score — so it's the cheapest first step before choosing anything.